CVS and SAPD Warn of Local Publisher's Clearing House Scam

The San Angelo Police are working with local CVS management to inform you of a scam involving the elderly as targets.  Several seniors have called the store to say they are receiving telephone calls from someone claiming to be a representative of Publishers Clearing House and stating they won $3 million dollars and a Mercedes.   The fake Publisher’s Clearinghouse representative then tells the “winner” that in order to collect their prize, they must go to a local CVS or Walgreens and purchase a $500 green dot money card and then give the card number to the representative.

PCH states on their website that winning is always free and you never have to pay to claim a prize award.  Recognizing the difference between legitimate sweepstakes and other types of offers that may not be legitimate will help you protect yourself and your family. 

If you are ever contacted by someone claiming to represent PCH, or claiming to be one of our employees,  and asked to send or wire money (for any reason whatsoever, including taxes); or send a pre-paid gift card or Green Dot Moneypak card in order to claim a sweepstakes prize – don't,  It’s a scam. If you are sent a check, told it’s a partial prize award, and asked to cash it and send a portion back to claim the full prize award, don't.  The check is fake, but the scam is real!

Scammers use any means available – mail; telephone; internet; email and even Facebook!  Whatever the method of contact, their main goal is to deceive you into believing you’ve won a prize award and need to send a pre-payment to claim that prize.  Don’t fall for it!

Anyone who believes they have been the victim of a fraudulent contact using the name of Publishers Clearing House, may contact us at our toll-free number 1-800-392-4190. Anyone who believes they have received a suspicious email using our name and logo, may forward it to our fraud reporting mailbox, [email protected].

For more PCH Facebook scam prevention tips, please watch this video from Prize Patrol member Danielle Lam:http://youtu.be/ttY3LLIgyTQ